Those of us who have gone to Cannon Falls High School since fourth grade may remember the trip to Eagle Bluff.  This trip was a time well spent on the ropes course and with friends, and the excursion would not have been a possibility without the help of the Education Foundation.  Created in 1994, the Education Foundation provides the school with expenses that are not covered by the school’s budget, and it recently received a large, generous donation from a donor.  Even though many students don’t realize it, benefits from the Education Foundation are essential to the school and its students.

The foundation has provided funds for certain trips students have taken in the past.  For example, the trip taken to Eagle Bluff by the fourth graders or to Vertical Endeavors by the third graders.  They also contribute money needed to pay for physical necessities in the school’s facilities, such as: elementary classroom amplification systems, the 3D printer in the high school, or even a kiln for the art room.  The foundation assists in distributing equipment to the Lantern and the elementary school with their on-line paper, “The Candle.”  Former Ed foundation president, Geri Geiken, expressed their eagerness to collaborate by stating, “We have been very proud of the great job you all have done on the on-line paper.”  The Education Foundation does not simply give money to the school, they organize a variety of fundraisers to pay the expenses.

With assistance from the Cannon Falls community, the Ed Foundation raises funds through community fundraising.  They host an April benefit auction and a November fall fund, however one of their most significant donations comes from First Farmers & Merchants Bank.  The bank organizes a benefit golf outing in July and donates the money they raised to the Ed Foundation.

The foundation was also recently informed that they would receive a generous donation from an estate owned by a local woman, Grace Elaine Wilcox who passed away earlier this year.  This donation, totaling $500,000 has allowed the foundation’s spending budget to double from $40,000 to $80,000, and provide students with even more possibilities. The Education Foundation deserves gratitude for everything they have done for our school.  With this additional money, possibilities are truly endless.  Geri Geiken justifies this statement by saying, “We are very excited to see how this additional money will be able to impact our schools and Cannon Falls students’ education.”